Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa
The rhythms of Havana meet the soul of New York this October as Jazz at Lincoln Center pays tribute to the legendary Celia Cruz, the “Queen of Salsa,” on what would have been her 100th birthday. Cruz’s legacy continues to ignite generations with her powerful voice, electrifying performances, and unshakable spirit. This centennial celebration promises to be more than a concert—it’s a living, breathing homage to a woman who brought the heartbeat of Afro-Cuban music to the world stage.
From the moment she first sang with La Sonora Matancera in the 1950s, Celia Cruz’s presence reshaped Latin music forever. Her dynamic voice—equal parts fire and joy—transcended borders, politics, and time itself. She became not only a cultural ambassador but a symbol of resilience and pride for the Cuban diaspora. Her iconic cry, “¡Azúcar!” still echoes wherever salsa music lives, a rallying call to dance, celebrate, and resist.
At Jazz at Lincoln Center, the spirit of Cruz will fill the air once again. Music director Carlos Henriquez, celebrated bassist of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, steps into a deeply personal role as the leader of this special tribute. For Henriquez, this isn’t just another performance—it’s a homecoming. He had the rare honor of performing and recording with Cruz as a teenager, a time that left an indelible mark on his musical soul.
“I used to travel with Celia when I was 16, 17, traveling the world,” Henriquez recalls with a nostalgic smile. “She took me under her wing. She would call me ‘El Nene,’ which means ‘The Kid.’ She taught me how to keep a groove on stage, how to laugh, how to entertain.” Those lessons, infused with warmth and rhythm, now form the heartbeat of this centennial concert.
Under Henriquez’s direction, the evening will be a blend of reverence and rhythm—part history lesson, part celebration. Expect a vibrant mix of Latin jazz, big band arrangements, and traditional salsa classics that honor Cruz’s unmatched range and charisma. Each note played will echo her trailblazing journey from Havana to international superstardom.
This isn’t the first time Jazz at Lincoln Center has honored Latin music, but this tribute feels uniquely intimate. Cruz’s collaborations with jazz greats helped bridge cultures and sounds long before “fusion” became a buzzword. Her ability to weave Afro-Cuban roots into the language of jazz inspired generations of artists to experiment fearlessly.
Audiences can expect an explosion of sound and color as the band reimagines Cruz’s greatest hits. Songs like “La Vida Es un Carnaval” and “Quimbara” may take on new textures, but their infectious energy will remain intact. Every rhythm, every horn blast, every conga beat will celebrate the queen’s unapologetic joy.
Henriquez’s ensemble, composed of some of today’s most dynamic Latin and jazz musicians, brings an authenticity that only lived experience can deliver. Together, they’ll create an atmosphere that feels like a Havana nightclub and a Harlem jazz house all at once—a perfect reflection of Cruz’s transnational influence.
Beyond the music, the concert is also a reminder of Cruz’s enduring cultural impact. She shattered stereotypes, championed Afro-Latin identity, and became a beacon for women in an industry that rarely made space for them. Her life story continues to inspire artists, activists, and dreamers across the globe.
The centennial tribute also highlights Jazz at Lincoln Center’s ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating the diverse roots of jazz. From New Orleans to the Caribbean, from Africa to the Bronx, this institution recognizes that jazz is not one sound but a conversation between cultures—and Cruz’s voice was among its most joyful.
As the lights dim and the first notes fill the Rose Theater, the audience will feel more than nostalgia. They’ll feel the pulse of a musical revolution that started in Havana and reverberated across continents. They’ll dance, sway, and remember a woman who taught the world that rhythm can heal, unite, and transform.
Celia Cruz may be gone, but her spirit remains eternal in the music she left behind. On October 17 and 18, Jazz at Lincoln Center invites the world to remember her not with tears, but with rhythm, laughter, and, of course, azúcar!
